One down, three to go.
Russia’s men’s hockey team beat Norway 4-0 in the qualifying round of the Sochi Winter Olympics, surviving its first elimination game of the tournament.
After losing a memorable shootout to the U.S. on Saturday, the Russians were forced to win four games in six days in order to bring home the country’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey in 22 years.
Russia’s Alexander Radulov had two goals and an assist against Norway. Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexei Tereshenko also scored. Pavel Datsyuk picked up three assists.
Sergei Bobrovski was perfect in net for the Russians, stopping 22 shots for the shutout.
The Russia-Norway game was the highlight of the four qualifying games on Tuesday. With the win, Russia will face Finland in the quarterfinals.
“It is do-or-die games right now,” said Alex Ovechkin. “We don’t have much time to prepare … but I’m pretty sure everybody on Finland is going to be ready, and we’re going to be ready as well.”
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Slovenia beat Austria 4-0, advancing to the quarterfinals where they will play Sweden.
The Czech Republic beat Slovakia 5-3, and will face the U.S. in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Latvia stunned everyone – including perhaps themselves – beating Switzerland 3-1. Latvia will now play Team Canada on Wednesday.
Canada, Sweden, Finland and the U.S. all have the day off to prepare for the quarterfinals, although finishing in the top four after the preliminary round isn’t always an advantage.
Since the NHL joined the Winter Olympics hockey tournament in 1998, no team that went undefeated in group play has won the gold medal.
Russia, despite a relatively tame Olympic tournament so far, still has an honest shot at the gold medal. Radulov, Datsyuk and Kovalchuk got the offence going for Russia on Tuesday. If Ovechkin follows suit (the star NHLer hasn’t scored in three games), they are as strong a match-up as anybody left in the tournament.
With a file from The Associated Press
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